KISSING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

kissing

verb

present participle of kiss

as in cuddling

to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in brushing

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of kissing Partner Alan Bersten hugged De Laurentiis, kissing her on the head, while also crying. — Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026 As part of Faust’s plea deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss most of the other charges, including allegations of her kissing the fifth grader, the Pioneer Press and WQOW report. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as kissing a man does to marrying him, or as flying in an airplane does to falling out of an airplane. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2026 Photos from Modling and Forte’s big day show the Last Man on Earth alum cradling his firstborn while kissing his bride. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Sep. 2026 Ratajkowski and Gavras first sparked romance rumors in November 2025, when they were spotted out together in New York City, and were photographed with his arm around her and kissing multiple times. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The jeweler recently posted up-close photos of the ring on Instagram, as well as a snap of Lee wearing a white veil and kissing Posty’s head while showing off the sparkling rock on her finger to the camera. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 In the trailer, Reinhart‘s Olive is shown spontaneously kissing Bateman‘s Adam — a notable Easter egg to the book cover of Hazelwood‘s bestseller — so her best friend Anh can see them. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 Watts went first, posting a snapshot of McCollough kissing his head to Instagram. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing

Verb

In early 2020, the Grammy and Oscar winner made the relationship Instagram official by posting a photo of the two of them on a yacht, cuddling.

— Martha Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
The Rhode beauty founder posed in a tiny white nightdress while cuddling and kissing Justin in bed in photos shared on September 7.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of cuddling

Verb

In July, Powell also shared a sweet photo of himself and Randolph smooching in a Fourth of July photo dump.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
The vinyl edition comes with some special gatefold artwork that appears to show Winter smooching Carnegie Hall’s namesake and builder, Andrew Carnegie.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of smooching

Verb

The work that’s growing fastest is work done with people and with things — the kind AI is furthest from touching.

— Pat Gelsinger, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
The order set in motion efforts to revise or remove interpretive signs and other materials across national parks and federal sites, touching on subjects ranging from slavery and Indigenous history to climate change.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

While attending the grand opening of the Skims flagship store in London, Kardashian turned heads in a figure-hugging corset dress, complete with a waist-high leg slit.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
The cut looks put together without hugging your legs as closely as skinny styles, giving you a little more room to move.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026